Thursday 09/October/2025 – 07:26 AM
In the far northwest of Egypt, specifically in Matrouh Governorate, Bedouins welcome the winter with rituals and customs steeped in history, in which the spirit of adaptation to the harsh environment, pride in authenticity, and adherence to the traditions of their ancestors is evident.
Matrouh Bedouins: Winter rituals between authenticity and patience with the cruelty of nature
Despite the harsh cold, and the difficulty of living sometimes, winter has a special place in the hearts of Bedouins, as it carries within it hope for rain, a season of warm social relations, and evenings of stories around a wood fire.
Early preparedness and climate fluctuations
With late fall, early preparations for winter begin. The Bedouins in Matrouh rely on their inherited experience in predicting the weather by monitoring the movement of the wind, the behavior of animals, and even the shape of the clouds.
Matrouh winter is known to be cold and humid, especially since its winds come from the Mediterranean Sea, and its harshness increases on the heights of the plateaus and the outskirts of the desert.
Bedouin dress is protection and elegance
Men wear heavy woolen abayas and keffiyehs wrapped tightly around the head and neck to protect them from the cold wind. As for women, they wear black dresses embroidered with colored or silver threads, which are hand-stitched and reflect the unique Bedouin identity.
Fire is the heart of life in winter
The burning fire in “Al-Marboua” or “Diwaniyah” is the focus of social life in winter. At night, men gather around a wood fire, drink Arabic coffee, and exchange stories, proverbs, and folk poetry.
Acacia or Samar wood is used to light the fire, because of its ability to burn for a long time without heavy smoke.
The food is a warmth of Bedouin cuisine
Matruh winter is known for its variety of traditional dishes that give warmth and energy, the most famous of which are:-
Porridge: made of flour, water and ghee, served hot.
Couscous: cooked with meat or milk.
Bazin: A famous dish, especially in the tribes near the Libyan border.
Camel milk, dates, and olive oil: essential elements in winter food.
Waiting for rain is a good season
The fall of rain represents an event that everyone eagerly awaits, as it heralds the season of planting and grazing sheep. Barley is mainly grown by Bedouins, and shepherds go out early with their livestock in search of green pastures that sprout after rain.
Social relationships are uninterruptedly warm
Winter in Matrouh is known as the season of closeness and harmony. There are many visits between families, night gatherings are held, stories are told that document tribal heroics, and new generations are taught the origins of customs and traditions.
Some of them also revive forms of Bedouin art, such as “Al-Hadda” and “Zajal”, in which poems are recited about pride in the land, the tribe, and generosity.
Winter in Matrouh is when the earth speaks its language
In the Matrouh Desert, winter is not only measured by temperature, but also by the amount of rain, the number of evening parties, and the warmth of Bedouin friendship. It is a season in which a person’s ability to adapt is tested, stories of patience are told, and legacies are preserved from extinction. Despite the change of time, the customs of the Matrouh Bedouins remain as firm as sand that has never lost its secret. With every new winter, a new story is written on the pages of the desert.
